Energy Notes

Saving Energy is Smart Business

• Dero Bike Rack Co.

• Energy Smart kicks off intensive outreach in St. Cloud

• Triangle Industries finds savings opportunities at three sites



Saving Energy is Smart Business
In-depth Energy Workshop
2009 CERTs Conference
February 10
Noon - 5:00 p.m.
St. Cloud Civic Center
10 4th Avenue S.
St. Cloud, Minn.
$30
Registration
Questions: Jill Curran
(651) 292-4653

CERTs 2009: Harnessing Resources & Teamwork for Minnesota's Energy Future
February 11
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
St. Cloud Civic Center
10 4th Avenue S.
St. Cloud, Minn.
$50
Registration
Questions: Luke Ekelund
(651) 789-3321

Integrating Lean into Your Environmental Initiatives
March 10
8:45 a.m. - Noon
Minnesota Waste Wise
400 Robert Street North, Suite 1500
St. Paul, Minn.
$40 members, $60 non-members
Registration
Questions: Kate Worley
(651) 292-4662

Energy Design Conference & Expo
March 9-11
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC)
Duluth, Minn.
$60 before 2/25, $85 after
Registration
Questions: Minnesota Power
(218) 720-2796
(800) 228-4966 ext. 2796

For more information on upcoming events, please visit our events page.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning off a fluorescent light for five seconds or more will save more energy than it will take to restart the light.

For older technology, wear on the bulb and cost to re-lamp also may come in to play.

For more information on low or no-cost energy-saving tips, please visit our resources page.



To learn more about your utility's Conservation Improvement Program, click the applicable link below. If you do not see your utility listed, contact Energy Smart at (651) 292-4653 and we will assist you.

Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy customers can find information about rebates and incentives.

Minnesota Power
Minnesota Power customers can find information about rebates and incentives.

Interstate Power and Light
Interstate Power and Light (Alliant Energy) customers can find information about rebates and incentives.

Otter Tail Power
Otter Tail Power customers can find information about rebates and incentives.



http://www.mnenergysmart.com
info@mnenergysmart.com

MINNEAPOLIS - Dero Bike Rack Co. began the new year with a lighting upgrade - one that is predicted to save the business more than $3200 in 2009 energy costs.

"[Energy Smart] helped make this lighting transition very smooth and exciting," said Corie Ross, operations manager at Dero Bike Rack Co.

Energy Smart contacted Dero in July 2008 and helped to facilitate a no-cost lighting assessment. The Minneapolis bike rack manufacturer was entering the busy season of summer and fall, but came back to the lighting assessment report this winter.

"The lighting upgrade has made a huge difference," Ross said. "We’re especially excited about the new lighting in our finishing booths."

The report estimated that a lighting retrofit of inefficient T12 bulbs (above left) to T8 bulbs (above right) could pay for itself in less than two years.

Energy Smart began intensive outreach in St. Cloud January 12 with a series of lighting assessments facilitated by Energy Smart. Several local businesses agreed to undergo assessments to find potential energy savings.

Energy Smart will host a workshop, "Saving Energy is Smart Business," February 10 at the St. Cloud Civic Center. This workshop is being held as part of the 2009 Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) Conference. For more information on the conference, please visit the Energy Smart events page.

ST. ANTHONY -- Triangle Industries, a sheet metal fabricator based in St. Anthony, Minn., is currently using less efficient metal halide bulbs (pictured above).

In October, Triangle Industries contacted Energy Smart for assistance. Energy Smart staff facilitated a no-cost lighting assessment for three of Triangle’s four locations.

Lighting audits took place at each of the three Triangle Industries locations in November. Triangle Industries received reports showing potential energy and dollar savings, as well as up-front costs and rebates for implementing the upgrade.

Triangle Industries is evaluating its lighting upgrade options. Energy Smart assistance is available to any business in Minnesota wishing to evaluate options for reducing energy costs. Contact Energy Smart at any time if your business is interested in receiving an assessment.